# Chapter 10. KDE applications

# 10.1. Kppp

Many KDE users report problems using Kppp. But before you complain about Kppp, make sure you have already checked the following:

- can you dial-up to your ISP without using Kppp?

- have you gone through the Kppp documentation at least three times and follow its instructions and trouble-shooting suggestions?

The Kppp documentation can be accessed either by browsing KDE Help or going directly to the documentation directory, usually $KDEDIR/share/doc/HTML/default/kppp. In addition, there's a web page on "How to set up kppp with ISPs in the UK" at http://www.kppp-archive.freeserve.co.uk/.

Now, if you still encounter problems, here's what might help you solve them:

- make sure pppd has the SETUID bit on, i.e. do a chmod +s pppd, and make sure it is world-executable (chmod a+x pppd).

- examine the "options" file of pppd. You might want to just replace it with an empty one.

- are there any other programs currently running which may use the modem, for example mgetty? Check the permission of /dev/modem, and make it world-readable.

- if you are connected, take a look at the connection speed. Maybe you have chosen 115000 but your system is too slow.

## 10.1.1. I don't have a valid DNS! What can I do?

Well, guess what? Linux, KDE, kppp, etc. have nothing to do with providing you with a valid DNS. That is the responsibility of your ISP. So write them a nice friendly letter asking them to provide you with the necessary information to set it up.

## 10.1.2. How do I change the mtu setting in kppp?

Open up the kppp dialog box and select "Setup". Choose an existing account and click "Edit...", or "New..." to create a new dial-up account. Select the "Dial" tab and click on the button that says "Arguments". Type what you want to change in the Argument textbox e.g. mtu 296 and click "Add". When you're satisfied, click "Close".

To make sure the options "took", do one of the followings:

- in a terminal window, run /sbin/ifconfig ppp0 and look at the reported mtu in the output --- it should match your request.

- add "debug" and "kdebug" (each on separate lines, no quotes) to your /etc/ppp/options file and restart your ppp session. You'll find debugging messages in /var/log/messages, including mru and mtu settings.

If you want, the mru and mtu settings can be added to the options file, one complete setting per line, no quotes or dashes.

## 10.1.3. Where are the kppp settings stored?

It is stored in $HOME/.kde/share/config/kppprc.

## 10.1.4. Kppp connects at a slower speed than normal.

The following might do the trick:

- try executing "setserial spd_hi"

- The default mtu value is 1500, which is too large for a dial-up connection. Try changing it to a smaller value like 296 or 576.

  1. Make sure you are off-line and click on the kppp "setup" button. Choose your dialup account from the list, and click the "edit" button.

  2. Under the "Dial" tab, at the bottom of the dialog, find a button labelled "Arguments" and click it.

  3. You should be in a "Customize" window, where you can add line-item configuration parameters (those are documented in the pppd man page).

  In this fashion, I added the following entries to the list:

       mru 296
       mtu 296

- check in your $HOME/.kde/share/config for the kppprc. Ensure the correct modem speed is actually defined there.